Field Music have now been delivering their own brand of carefully-crafted prog-pop for almost a decade. Mercury prize-nominated ‘Plumb’ is their fourth full-length since a 2005 debut, and after witnessing tonight’s show at The Haunt, we’ve got to give kudos to the expertise which has been invested into every nook and cranny of their music.

Playful piano medleys break into winding classic rock riffs, break into barbershop a cappellas, break into jaunty indie-funk riffs… All competently held together by the two core members – Sunderland-based siblings, Peter and David Brewis. Their relationship on stage is brilliantly close-knit, cyclically feeding off of each other, giving energy and receiving. While one holds the fort on drums and backing vocals, the other will take a turn as conductor, guiding the rest of the quartet through the numerous key and tempo changes.

It’s difficult to pick out highlights from tonight’s set, as every song seems to involve the same level of class as the last. This lack of standout ‘music video’ material undoubtedly plays a large in part in why FM have, up until now, stayed relatively under the commercial radar. A modestly-sized crowd offers modest titters of applause between numbers – in true English fashion – and while the atmosphere is not exactly electric, the lack of ‘grandeur’ and ego in the performance, presentation, and reception of their music, is all part of the charm.

The excellent ‘Plumb’ high point ‘I Keep Thinking About (A New Thing)’ closes a lengthy set, where the classy classic-rocker ‘Measure,’ from the album of the same name, wraps up a no-nonsense encore, which, although ultimately enjoyable, does nothing to provide a definitive musical ending. But hey, that’s all just part of the FM experience.

If you have yet to discover the joys of Field Music, then there’s no better time than now. As both a recording and touring unit, the Brewis brothers are at their best.

Haunt, Thursday 18th October 2012
Words by Joel Carr